TORONTO, September 12, 2020 – Leading jockey Justin Stein struck again to bookend the stakes action on Queen’s Plate day, winning the $100,000 Ruling Angel Stakes for three-year-old fillies in rein to the Wesley Ward-trained Artie’s Princess.
Artie’s Princess, the 2-1 second choice in the field that was reduced to five due to a pair of scratches (Jumping Jill Flash and Cambria), broke well and was joined by 27-1 longshot Positive Danger at the rail in an early tussle for top spot through the opening quarter-mile in :22.27.
Artie’s Princess won that battle and then rebuffed Avie’s Samurai, who offered up a challenge into the turn. Artie’s Princess took off, widening to as much as five lengths at the top of the lane, and cruised home a winner in a spiffy 1:14.97 over 6-1/2 furlongs on the main track.
“I had horse left,” said Stein of the pace battle on the backside. “I saved some pony and around the turn I can see out of my periphery the horses on the outside coming, and I was just sitting and waiting for the quarter pole to chirp at her and see if she’s going to run.”
The final margin of victory was 3-3/4 lengths for Artie’s Princess, who was followed under the wire by Our Secret Agent. Boardroom, the 3-5 favorite under Luis Contreras, managed to finish third despite sustaining a broken line at the start of the race. Avie’s Samurai and Positive Danger completed the order of finish.
“It’s been amazing,” said Stein of his fantastic week. “Last night, I’m looking at the program and looking at all the horses and I’m just pumped, just stoked to come out and ride and give them my best and put them in a spot they can hopefully win from. It’s really exciting and easy to get up in the morning when you’re riding these kinds of horses.”
The homebred filly by We Miss Artie out of Stormkeeper now has a pair of wins from four sophomore starts and is four-for-six lifetime for Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey.
Artie’s Princess gave Stein his third win on the program and second stakes triumph following a track record victory with Francatelli in the King Corrie Stakes. She returned $6.50 to win.
